Health Tips

An allergy is when the body reacts badly to a substance called an allergen. The body responds by discharging histamine and this can cause inflammation. This is why we often take medicines or use creams which contain an anti-histamine ingredient. Allergies provoke symptoms such as rashes or itchy skin or swelling. They can also cause coughing and difficulties breathing.

Allergies are very common – a person might only suffer for a short period, or they may be affected day in day out. Only in spring and summer is hayfever a problem for instance. And even within this some people are only affected by the allergens of trees – these are only around in spring – and others are only affected by grass pollen – these are summer problems.

Pets, detergents, medical products, foods… all these are potential allergens. In various people they might cause different conditions – asthma and eczema along with dermatitis are all triggered by allergens.

If you have an allergic reaction to something that is difficult to identify it is worthwhile trying identify it and remove it from your environment. If the allergy is something that comes and goes, try and keep track of exactly when you get it. Do you usually suffer at the work or when at home? When you are outside or when you are inside? Using a process of elimination you may be able to work out what exactly is troubling you.

A logbook or simple diary can be a useful aid. One of the hardest things sort out is any allergic reactions to food – you will need to keep a detailed food journal. Any symptoms and their times should go in the journal – itchy around the eyes only in the morning?

Our homes are full of potential allergens. If you have pets, they may be the cause as many people are allergic to the little bits of dry skin that animals deposit. The best thing to do is to wash your pets regularly – cats are not fond of this but you can wipe them thoroughly with a wet cloth. You could try to keep them out of bedrooms or even better keep them to one room only.

Some of the allergens are harder to spot. Housemites are minuscule and make their homes in our soft furnishings and rugs. Washing and regularly airing all our bedding is a good idea for this reason. And vacuuming several times a week.

Hay fever sufferers will want to make sure the windows to the bedrooms are not opened, so to air the bed clothes carry them into another room, and shut the door whilst the window is open. Do not buy bedding that is made with down – feathers are another common allergen.

If you’ve found that dust is the problem it might be worth investing in a special vacuum cleaner as regular vacuum cleaners can just stir up more dust. In the meantime you can wipe soft furnishings with a damp cloth to remove dust without stirring it up.

Unless there is no alternative do not let washing dry inside the house. If you have to, make sure air is getting into the rooms where the drying is taking place. This is because steam in a house can lead to mildew and this is yet another common allergen. All these suggestions might seem like a bit of an effort, but they make the home healthier for allergy suffers and for other members of the family.